# How to Download Windows 10 ISO file & create installation media?

Last Updated On: 07 Nov 2025  
6 minutes read

The Windows 10 ISO file is a disk image used to load WinPE components into target computers. It can be mounted on a CD/DVD to boot computers or uploaded to virtual machines for imaging and deployment.

## What is a Windows 10 ISO File?

A Windows 10 ISO file is a complete disk image containing all files needed to install or reinstall Windows 10. It can be used to create installation media on USB drives or DVDs.

According to Microsoft, a Windows 10 ISO file includes all data necessary to install Windows 10 on any supported device.

## How to Download Windows 10 ISO File

Follow these steps to download and create a Windows 10 installation media using the Media Creation Tool:

1. **Download** the Media Creation Tool from the [Microsoft website](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10) under **Create Windows 10 installation media**.
2. Click **Download** to start downloading the tool.

![Click on Download to download the Media Creation Tool](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/download-media-creation-tool.png)

3. Run **MediaCreationTool_22H2.exe** and accept the license terms.
4. Select **Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC** and click **Next**.

![Windows 10 bootable ISO - ManageEngine OS Deployer](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/create-windows-10-iso-file.png)

5. Choose the preferred **language**, **edition**, and **architecture**, then click **Next**.

![Create Windows 10 bootable ISO - ManageEngine OS Deployer](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/select-language-to-create-win-10-iso.png)

6. Select **ISO file** and click **Next**.

![Select ISO file as the media](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/select-iso-file.png)

7. Click **Save** to download the Windows 10 bootable ISO.

The Media Creation Tool doesn’t allow customizations. OS Deployer allows you to customize the [Windows 10 image](https://www.manageengine.com/products/os-deployer/help/imaging/windows-10-and-windows-11-imaging.html), including the applications to be installed, computer name, SID, user profiles, and much more. You can also deploy the Windows 10 image to multiple computers simultaneously right from your desk.

## Supported Operating Systems

- Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP
- Windows Server 2003 and above

## How to Create a Disk Image for Windows 10

Image a Windows 10 machine with the required applications to create an ISO image. The image will be stored in the repository and deployed to target machines using the Windows ISO file. Map the image to a deployment template and schedule the process using a [deployment task](https://www.manageengine.com/products/os-deployer/help/imaging/windows-10-and-windows-11-imaging.html).

For more details, refer to the [imaging process guide](https://www.manageengine.com/products/os-deployer/help/imaging/creating-os-image.html).

## How to Create an ISO File for Windows 10

Create a bootable ISO media containing the WinPE tool and required drivers:

1. In the **Deploy** tab, click **Create Bootable Media** under the **Deploy Image** section.
2. Select **For ISO** option.

![Create a bootable media for Windows 10 ISO](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/create-bootable-media-for-win-10-iso.png)

3. Enter a bootable media name.

![Enter the bootable media name](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/enter-win-10-iso-bootable-media-name.png)

4. Select the WinPE tool location or download it if not installed.
5. Choose the system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
6. Add required drivers:
   - **Option 1: Select vendor drivers (recommended)**
     - Click **Select drivers** to download vendor drivers (Dell, Lenovo, HP) directly to the server.
   - **Option 2: Upload drivers manually**
     - If offline, use **Upload drivers** to add vendor drivers downloaded separately.
7. To use existing repository drivers:
   - Enable **Add drivers from repository → Select network & hard disk drivers**.
   - Search drivers by hardware ID, storage type, or model, then save.

![Add the required drivers to the Windows 10 ISO file](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/select-network-and-hard-disk-drivers.png)

8. Click **Create Bootable Media**.

## Download Windows 10 ISO File

Once the bootable media is created, go to **Action → Download Media** to download the ISO file. You can burn or copy it to CD/DVD/USB using third-party tools.

![Windows 10 ISO download dialog box](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/os-deployer/help/bootable-media/windows-10-iso-download-start.png)

## Boot Windows 10 Using ISO

1. Insert the CD/DVD into the target computer.
2. Access the Boot Order menu and select the CD/DVD drive under **LEGACY BOOT** or **UEFI BOOT**.
3. Select the correct boot option based on your created image.
4. For virtual machines, upload the ISO file directly for imaging and deployment.

## Frequently Asked Questions